Slice of Your Brain Please

Show and tell: Pecha Kucha

On Wednesday night, the Memminger Auditorium was like a black hole, and in the corners shone light. I blinked repeatedly while my eyes adjusted, and JAZ's cosmic disco music filled my ears. Suddenly my eyes were drawn to everything all at once, and the smell of food reigned over my senses. Nope, I wasn't having an out-of-body experience — it was just time for Pecha Kucha. It's a sort of Japanese onomatopoeia for the sound of concise conversation. Interactive stations were set up around the dark room, as cliqued guests giggled in excitement. Seated and attentive, my out-of-body experience was coupled by the stunning mot juste of the nine Pecha Kucha dilettantes. Each had 6 minutes and 40 seconds to slice open their creative brains and do a true show and tell. Each shared pictures, videos, music, and even food as they spoke of urban urgency, lust/love, and exposed ugliness. They reminded us of our roots, brought us back to nature, and taunted death. Images burned into my brain? An overweight woman giving birth in her living room. For all you folks out there that procrastinated, perk your ears for another Pecha Kucha event in January. Check it out at www.pecha-kucha.org.